BLUE is the story of a man trying to get through his day while living with a little monster named depression.

Interview with Writer/Producer Robert Keniston

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

BLUE was created as a form of therapy. I had been struggling with depression for a number of years and my therapist had been encouraging me to find a creative outlet for it. As I began the road to managing my depression, the idea for BLUE began to materialize and with the help of some very supportive friends the film was made into what you see today.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

If you're someone who also lives with depression, this film will let you know that you are not alone; that there is someone else out there who understands the battles you deal with each day.

If you are a friend/family member of someone who is depressed, it is my hope this film will help you in understanding what your loved one is dealing with on a daily basis; it'll help you "get it".

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Sadness is a feeling everyone can relate to and at some point in life everyone experiences some degree of a major depressive episode. Whether it's over the loss of a loved one or some other life event that acts as the catalyst. I think that common association with that feeling, regardless of its severity, is enough to get people to connect with the theme's that are presented in the film.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

We shot the film on an iPhone and planned to enter it into an iPhone related film festival and leave it at that, however, as we were filming we started to the potential this little story would have beyond our original plan.

Anyone who saw us shooting just lit up and smiled when they saw the puppet. It quickly became a way to help start discussions about the film and its message. I began to really appreciate how a symbol of my sadness was becoming a source that was bringing others joy.

After seeing this happen over and over again during the shoot, I knew I had to share BLUE in more than just one film festival and get the message out. I'm glad that The Awareness Film Festival is part of that goal.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It has all been really positive. It's landing with people on such a personal level. They laugh, they cry and everyone loves the puppet; who, let's be honest, is the real star of the film.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It's been a total surprise in the best way possible. I can't ask for a better confirmation that the film is hitting the mark and making a positive impact on such a dark subject.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

The more people who see BLUE the more it'll help to remove the stigma that currently surrounds mental health issues. I don't want anyone to be afraid or ashamed to talk about depression and I hope that BLUE will make it easier to engage in having those types of chats.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Anyone who would like to share the film is welcome to do so or they can reach out to me if they wish. I'm open to seeing what opportunities present themselves in the future.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I'd love to see the film used in a positive way in addressing the issues of mental health in the United States.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

I think the questions come AFTER you've watched the film. I believe the film itself can act as a great springboard to spark a conversation.

ould you like to add anything else?

If you like the film, share it. Use it as a tool in your classrooms or clinic. If you have a friend who struggles with depression, watch it with them. It's been amazing what this little story has done so far; let's expand that potential.

hat are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I currently have two projects in development, both which have a mental health component involved within the story.

The first project is a film named "The Man in the Padded Room". It's going to be a lot more serious than BLUE and will deal with the topic of suicide.

The other project is a film named "Cellophane" and will tap into the idea of loneliness; something that's becoming all too common in the 21st Century.

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela